I've always been fascinated with language, and when I read George Lakoff's, Metaphors We Live By (1980), I knew why. Words paint mental pictures. They can quickly trigger the construction of large scenes and scenarios--all in the listener's mind. And American english is riddled with these colorful metaphors, like "ideas are food," for example. We might say, "here are the raw facts," or "we're digesting the information," or "I can't swallow that."

My favorites are ones that explore ideas and ideals about social life and citizenship, and bonus points if it touches on what it means to be an American. There's the old "melting pot" metaphor, but I prefer the "salad bowl," which I understand is more of a thing in Canada. I also enjoyed Eric Liu's The Gardens of Democracy (2011) where society is a garden, and we are the tenders of the garden, contending with pests, while also nurturing and expanding our plot. I also like, "life is a long trail hike," where we just keep moving, overcoming obstacles. The ultimate classic is the motto of the USA: E Pluribus Unum, or "out of many we are one." Somehow lots of variety in peoples, are able to thrive under one law.

I'm looking for more metaphors to illustrate V.G.o.T. posters and it has been a terrific line of thought.

It was the summer of 2008 and I decided to visit a new website some friends were talking about. It was way better than Ebay and essentially gave me the tools to start a small business. I'm talking about Etsy, and still today its a cornerstone of my design studio business. But that started the awesome journey, and now ten years later, here I am, still doing what I love. Honestly, I only recently felt like I know what I'm doing. That's the result of a thousand mistakes/lessons. I've been on lot's of deadend roads; I've learned whole new fields of expertise (sales, bookkeeping, etc.); and learned that I need to be ready to learn pretty much constantly.

I feel really good right now. I mean, I feel I have better handles on the message of the VGoT project, and better skills to produce them. There's some really neat organizing going on this year. We're making some sub-projects, like the Garden Signs, that will have some of there own labeling. There are a couple more coming, such as, "House Hold Posters," and the "Service Outfit" for community support posters.

All of that and more will be rolling out this year, and in that way, I celebrate Ten Years with "More Production!"

I didn’t totally realize it was a thing until this year. But it makes sense to use the down time of early January to take some time off. These past several years I’ve found myself exhausted after the holidays, usually nursing a cold from all my exposure to the public, and voice shot from all the talking (so many good conversations to be had). There’s also a certain concept exhaustion I feel. I’m just tired of looking and talking about my own stuff for weeks on end. Time off to think about other things can help all that. I used to think, “can’t afford down time!” But now I say, “can’t afford to not have down time.” This January I spent a week with my brother Daniel who lives and works in Brooklyn, NY. We just walked and talked, went to museums. Swapped my home cooking for pizza and coffee! There’s good perspective for me! Plus time at home doing the side projects, and the cooking that takes time. That was nice.

Anyhow, stay tuned for updates on my new projects this year. There’s new energy and renewed focus on garden signs as well as interesting new posters.

The title of my 2018 Calendar is a call to be active on your homefront. As much as I'm distraught with the things I read in the news, I try to keep a long view of America. That's why I like the metaphor of the citizen as a gardener. I think everyone is a kind of gardener, cultivating a life. Practical people like gardeners know that things take time, need good ground work and regular attention to be successful.

"We have nothing to fear, but fear itself," said one of my favorite Presidents: FDR. We'll work through this time, emerge stronger, with lessons learned. "Gardeners of Democracy" is what we can call ourselves. In this way, I hope to make work that assuages anxiety, and builds confidence in our ability to work through adversity.

Craftsman Graphic Styling

Inspired by the vintage Arts & Crafts styled homes of Portland, Oregon. The color schemes were chosen to serve as seasonal accent colors, while the line work draws from the beautifully built interiors of 1910's and '20's craftsman homes. Like another built-in shelf, this calendar will fit in any home.

Right from the beginning, the VGoT was all about raising up our confidence, creating urgency to make America healthier, more positive place. Today, more than ever, that is exactly what we need.

Looking back to 2007, when I began making the first posters for the VGoT, my feeling then was one of uncertainty, even fear. For whatever reason--some personal need I suppose--I wanted to make my community feel confident. I wanted to reduce their anxieties, and encourage them to be healthier. With 2008's election, we had a friend in the White House. The ground was made ready and we started to feel better, and treated ourselves better. Farmers markets took off, school gardens grew, lots of people now keep chickens, and children are becoming familiar with the garden and kitchen. None of that is lost, but it is time to once again find our people power, our homemade power, and get a new sense of urgency if we still want to make gains in public health.

The 21st century still beckons us, still calls out to us to keep building the home of tomorrow.

Now available, my new Utility Tote Bag is a handcrafted item made right here in my studio.

Growing up, my mom was often sewing--whether fixing something old or making something new, she kept busy. I wanted to pay tribute to my mother's craft by creating my own project. What came to mind was a better grocery tote, not a wimpy-floppy thing; something stand-up sturdy and hardworking, as well as neat and interesting.

I chose materials I admire, like work-wear sturdy canvas, and hardware details that are beautiful, like copper rivets. And finally I would embellish the bag with a screen print. After many trials, this is what I settled on. Roughly the size of a normal grocery bag, just a little bigger, and, of course, with a strong handle that's a wide 2-inches, making it easy on the shoulder, because this tote slides and cinches to become a shoulder bag.

I've been field testing them for several months. Lots of grocery and farmers market trips where I really overloaded it. Several camping trips where it served as food bag, and later as tool bag. It has personally become my new favorite thing.

It felt like a heap of work earlier this year (and it still kind of is), but now there is so much new and interesting things coming out of the VGoT project this summer. New screen print posters are a hit, and I can see why: they embody the lasting courage and very real shift Americans are making toward more fresh foods, staying more in touch with plants, and coming together over food. I call them my "Flagship Series".

The "Flagship" limited edition screen print series.

The 2017 Calendar "Action Snack" listed today, and I'm so proud of the styling on this one--its to become a real classic. It features illustrations of my favorite snack foods in a dynamic, colorful presentation. These colors and subjects speak to the mood and feelings of the seasons.

Thank you for following my work with the VGoT poster series. I love making posters because they are graphic art at it's most expressive and evocative. Posters can be made loud and demanding; or poised powerfully for quiet strength. Within a vertical rectangle, a poster can tell you what to do, or better yet, show you what you can do. Like a song on the radio, it should be interpreted metaphorically.

Illustrated posters still have a role to play for us modern Americans. I'm still excited when I get asked to make posters available for a community group. I hear from food pantry folks, and garden education folks. They all want to give an imaginative voice to their program, and I’m flattered that my illustrations connect with the energy of their real work in the community. From abstract to concrete-- I love it.

I'm currently reforming the VGoT. It's a project I can't get away from, nor do I want to. But it’s not quite what I wanted it to be. It should be more beautiful, more like a real classic item. It should lend itself to other unique goods that express quality, durability and beauty. That’s why I’ve begun sewing heavy grocery totes and printing on them; as well as fabricating my own wooden poster frames. I want more screen printing, which I’ve always loved—there’s nothing like real ink on paper or fabric. I hope to have these new items ready to share this summer.

Those little jolts of excitement, which propel me to the sketchbook, are coming more frequently now. The hard part is doing the weeding; that is, keeping what’s worth pursuing and tossing what should go to the compost. The thing I crave these days is a project which has an attractive neatness, expressive quality, and is proudly made in the USA. I want posters with a voice that is powerful and imaginative. Its coming along.

Thank you for staying with me! I promise to reward you with some first looks and special offers coming over the next few months.

I started out a little bored when wife Taylor left for her international teaching semester in Kosovo (which is going marvelously, btw). So here at home, I’ve just been working double time on my little design and illustration business project. I thought I’d give you the inside scoop on what I’ve got going on.

After each of the last couple of Holiday seasons I’ve said to myself “I have got to be better prepared next time, and really bring a great, fresh collection.” So in August I decided 2015 is the year to not hold back. After a sputtering start, I found my center and went into a creative frenzy. I had a vision of what I wanted the VGoT to look like, as a collection of illustrated goods, and I just decided to take a chance and invest in myself. I created a few center pieces first. With a new edition of posters I could spin off other designed items. But the message has to be right on to carry everything forward. I knew I wanted a simple and clear idea, one that I felt passionate about personally. I was intrigued by writer Mark Bittman’s clear message: eat more plants. Add to that my personal frenzy of cooking, plus my project with the folks at OEFFA (an organic certification center in Ohio), and I knew my message had to be about organic fruits and vegetables, and cooking. America’s old “Victory Vegetables” seemed an apt vehicle to underline the importance of cooking with fresh foods, and growing them if you can.

That’s where “Organics: Today’s Victory Vegetables” came from. As well as “Soup Stock” and “Action Cabbage”. My work with the organic farm folks OEFFA resulted in “Non-GMO and so Much More”, a pastoral scene depicting an organic farm. From these centerpiece ideas, I spun off a raft of new and neat stuff.

I printed new kitchen towels, and a new tote bag. I made a neat greeting card boxset concept. They are these flap-fold little boxes with four greeting cards inside. There are these nice new “victory vegetables” printed handkerchiefs, packed in a printed envelope. And I finally made a colorful 2016 wall calendar featuring reasonably healthy snack foods.

Thank you for staying with me on this journey. I feel exceptionally lucky to continue doing what I love and what I believe in. And its an extra bonus to stay independent and keep a direct connection with my audience. Stay with me-- next year will be great!

I'm very excited to present a new line of work this year that focuses on food and cooking. Why? Because that's where the action is! And I know because this year has seen me in the kitchen a lot more than usual. With my wife doing Teacher Education (she's going to be an Elementary School Teacher), that left me doing all the kitchen duty. I love to cook, but when you're busy the favorite things are the simple things!

Last year, the focus was on an active, strong voice to promote feelings of change ("Courage & Progress"). Now with this year's interest in cooking with fresh foods, I want to express my wonder with the simplest pleasures of food, and generally promote interest around cooking fresh foods at home. So my first project with this in mind is the new 2016 Calendar "Action Snack."

I love simple things, almost like stuff kids eat these days. Tomato, avocado and salami on a cracker, for example. That one is actually something my wife and I call "camping sushi." Or oatmeal and raisins, or the cut apples which I eat probably everyday, and the rainbow carrots. My sense of wonder and awe is communicated by putting a little movement in each month's design; a feeling of weightlessness, like floating. Imagine watching cheese and a peice of apple pie falling in slow-motion onto a plate. Many of these are my comfort foods, feel-good foods. I like how I feel when I eat stuff like this. The sense of color was important. At first, I wasn't sure about doing full flood colors on each page but then I realized you need that attitude, that strong statement to make the proper feeling happen; a feeling that I associate with the months of the year. I'm feeling like this project will be setting the style & tone for the 2016 edition, and I can't wait to get started.

As I learn more about organic produce, the more I like it. There was a time when I thought "oh, geez, here's another way for the grocery to charge more for produce." But after getting to know the folks at OEFFA (Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association) I realized organic means more than just "no spray". It represents a holistic set of farming practices that protect the land, the people, and even the wildlife. I'll have more about this issue later this year, but in the meantime I'm very excited to present this new poster for Organics: Today's Victory Vegetables.

This summer I've become more interested in cooking and preparing better meals. Making food at home is just inherently healthier, it seems to me. So I decided to create a few prints that may inspire a bit more home-cooking. For this mid-year Edition I was thinking about the practice of making stock chicken broth from a roasted chicken-- one of my favorite and economical practices. We do this and use the broth for all kinds of recipes, like rice or noodle soups. And cabbage is both nutritious and versatile, showing up in cuisines around the world.

I got up early this morning and had the pleasure of doing some thoughtful re-reading, over coffee, of "The Omnivore's Dilemma," Michael Pollan's classic exploration of American food ways. Part technical, part philosophical, his story informed so many of my views on food and home cooking; it was nice to review that today. It was like checking in with myself and where the VGoT project is going. Pollan's visionary book came out in 2007, and here we are in 2015, still wondering about the value versus cost of organics, the proper role of processed and packaged foods, whether or not Whole Foods supermarkets are a boon or a scourge. And that was the thing that jumped out at me: big organic versus the local organic. I generally take a broader view that is happy that we're discussing the kind of organic we want at all. But if big organic can serve more people who ordinarily wouldn't go to a food coop or a farmers market, then I say that's a win. And remember, organic is always GMO-free. Overall, I have to say I'm optimistic and encouraged by the changes that have taken place over the last ten years in the food culture of America. So much is up for discussion these days that was considered fringe thinking ten years ago. Consider school lunches and school gardens, or even industrial food makers who are dropping unnatural additives. I'm not declaring "victory!", but I'm encouraged. Change takes time, but it's moving. I'm excited by all the people who are interested in cooking more, refocusing on real family meals, or tinkering in the vegetable garden. Thanks again, Pollan, for articulating those complex issues so well. And now, as a guy who draws pictures about food, I'm wondering, what's next?

A little bit of WWII-era homefront propaganda, a little Omnivore's Dilemma, a bit of Tomorrowland plus some space Legos and I think you start to get the inspiration for "the Victory Garden of Tomorrow". In my latest show, the "Victory Garden" goes to space where we can imagine having space gardens in an orbital farm, or chickens on a low-gravity moon base.

Screaming Sky Gallery in Portland invited me to present a show of my work. They have this fun and adorable designer toy shop. So it made sense to make that the place to debut a new batch of designs. I've been wanting to expand the world in which my long sturdy "astro-gardener" has lived. This guy is one of the original ideas, and seems to have a following. So, I asked myself, what else goes on in his world? There has to be chickens, and a larger capsule garden. What about an orbital farm? And how did they get up there?

And then, there's Earth Day, a very special holiday with a special story. The Earth Rise photograph by Apollo astronauts showed us how fragile and special is our home planet. It's like the "victory garden" went to space in these handful of designs. They were fun to make, and now they're available in the Design Shop under the Explorer Collection.

For all these years making VGoT posters, I've been working under these banners: Garden, Kitchen, City, and Explorers. These places have been inspiration points in the diverse place I call "The Victory Garden of Tomorrow". Each Collection is a work in progress, to be added to as inspiration comes and designs are created. Its been my pleasure since 2009 to make quality, bold graphic goods available to collectors, advocates, gardeners, teachers and lots more folks. Now, I hope the clarity will help everyone find what they're interested in.

Next month, I'm having a show of new work at Screaming Sky Gallery, a fun and interesting shop in Portland's Alberta Arts District (March 26-April 27, 2015). The show is all about the "Explorer's Collection" and the Space-Age Gardener. I'm very excited to finally have an excuse to expand that collection.

Preview of my New Garden Signs. These weather-proof durable gems are similar to, but better than, those old-time 1940's proud gardeners used to plant in there plots. Available soon!

As I write this, I'm practically knee-deep in to-do lists, inventory, shipping boxes, sketches, notes, receipts, and a bunch of other debris of a growing business. Yes, I'm growing my business in 2015 and its all growing pains now. Sure, I'm excited. A lot of my new things coming down the road have been on my mind for years. For example, making outdoor-quality garden signs has been a back-burner project held up until I could muster enough financing to make a decent batch. After this past Holiday sales season, I'm finally in a place to do just that. Also, Greeting Cards and other stationary has been one of those wish-list items that needed extra resources.

This, I'm sure, will be my year. 2015 is a year where I'm not going overseas, like I did with my then-fiancé in 2012-2013 to teach english in South Korea. Nor am I getting married this year, which took over a lot of 2014! (but what an amazing time :-) And finally I'm not sharing a small studio space, and I'm moved into a decent-sized workplace where I can grow and build. Yes, it is exciting! Now, I'm working on focusing by clearing out client commitments, and declining big projects. Not this year! Its all about creating and building my own line of graphic-goods that has a tremendous potential, I think.

Invent something and sell it, is what a mentor once said to me, and I'm taking the advice to heart. So now the show is going on the road. First, to the Northwest Flower and Garden Show in Seattle. I'm excited because its a big show right in my favorite territory. These folks "get" what I do and are going to be excited to see my new stuff. Right now, pre-show, I'm pretty exhausted from all the designing I've been doing, and yet there's still a show booth that needs built!

Through it all, I enjoy the independence. Its important to me. Although, I'm taking a big chance, financially, I feels its worth it. At least, I feel I can say that now at the beginning of the year. Lets see what happens and I'll let get back to you whether it pays off. Wish me luck!

First poster designs for 2015 are rolling out and I'm fairly proud of what we have. It's been a hard several months, but I'm pleased with the results. As usual, I wanted to focus on food and one thing that inspired me was the USDA's (and Harvard's) Eating Plate. Here the recommendation is that veggies and fruit are half of what you eat everyday. After working with teens earlier this year and seeing what they ate, I know that's a longshot! So here's some work to stimulate the appetite. Another theme I dwelled on was the idea of luck. I'm not a superstitious person, but darn it if there doesn't seem to be an "x" factor in things that happen. Even if you believe in making your own luck, which I do, you still believe in luck. That's why several of my new pieces include a lucky charm, just in case. I'm especially excited to release my "Lucky Gardener's" Bandana to wipe your sweat after making all that luck (coming later this month). Which brings me to another theme for this year: work. Passive consumerism won't be enough to help us eat better; we need to get our hands dirty in the yard and the kitchen. It's like what cooking advocate Mark Bittman writes: "Do it yourself. . . Our goal should be to make things better, not to accept such a dismal status quo."

To spread the word, I've created a line of "collectible quality" posters and usable goods. High quality has always been a bottom line whenever I make something. This year's crop of graphic goods are all made durable and with integrity here in the USA, most of it here in Portland. New floursack towels look better than ever. Bandanas are coming soon. Lettercards, or rather, blank greeting cards come as a box-set and look amazing.

These are things that make for interesting gifts for families, teachers, gardeners and all those working to change the world. Explore the collection and see what's new from the VGoT. Stay in touch: be sure to get my occasional email for specials and announcements. And follow me on Facebook.

Here are a couple of shots from "behind the scenes". I do a lot of mocking up and sketching.

New Floursack Towels

Two new designs, "Thrifty for Victory" and "Pickel Dreamin' " have more color and style than any towel print I've made before.

Designing New Lettercards

Putting together the new "Lettercards" was quite a process. Creating the flap-fold box was a new challenge for me and I ended up making a bunch of prototypes before getting it right.

Tag Designs

There's more to a floursack! I wanted to express that in these new hangtags. Japanese traditonalists use fabrics like these to carry items like jars, bottles, leftovers, eggs. The new tags have instructions for folding these handy carriers.

Since last year we've made a small pile of T-Shirts and T-Shirt model photos. We exclusively use only our most attractive looking friends to pose and try their best at looking cool. Are they fashionable? Maybe. Are they adorable? For sure. And worth browsing, but please note some of the T-Shirts are out of print.

This is my second year working with the fine community in Seattle's Queen Anne. Its a beautiful neighborhood, full of (you guessed it) old queen anne style houses. They're up on a hill overlooking the city. What I like is how their weekly farmers market has become more than a produce sale; its where the people come out and meet their neighbors. Its a weekly chance to get outdoors and do something together. I like that because it suites my personal goal to minimize T.V. meet my neighbors, and eat more vegetables! Every year they work with an artist to create a collectible poster print for the market. This year they wanted something with chickens (okay, done) and it should riff on the idea of "going up the hill to Queen Anne", which is something the locals say. I had a few ideas, but this one hit all the marks. Every business in the neighborhood gets a print to put up in their shop windows. They even put them up as street banners near the event. I also designed the super cute totes and T-shirts, but they are only available at the market I'm afraid!

I'm so proud to have posters from the VGoT collection be included in a very interesting special exhibit at the Portland Art Museum. The exhibit includes work by Roy Lichtenstein, David Hockney, Andy Warhol, even Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. It is a huge honor to have my work recognized in this way: as a contributor to the discussion of food and politics. A very special thanks to museum curator Mary Weaver Chapin, PhD. The posters in the exhibit are "Keep 'Em Flying" and "Break New Ground", both are special screenprint editions and available in the Shop.

What is it about the power of these poster ads from the 30's to 40's? I started making this project because of the startling, subtle, emotive power of these images, even 60 years after they were created. I suppose you can see the earnestness of the images-- absolutely no irony-- and that's rare. I feel there's a craving among my generation and younger to go off and do something together. Just join up and make something happen-- not necessarily military (and I realize this is where that spirit is often channeled) but just to be purposeful and have a role. Thats pretty neat to think about. For me, I guess I participate by drawing pictures!

If you like powerful vintage posters, consider visiting the Portland Art Museum to see the exhibit "Feast and Famine: The Pleasures and Politics of Food". It's about how "artists use the topic of food and drink as a means to explore society, examine ritual, and advocate politically." Until May 4, my posters "Keep 'Em Flying" and "Break New Ground" will be included in the collection.